Separable fastener stringer



Aug-1 194G- D. MARINSKY 2,212,546

SEPARABLE FASTENER STRINGER Original Filed Marbh' e, 1957 A BY 2 ATTQRNE7 Patented Aug. 27, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SEPARABLE FASTENER STRINGER Original application March 6, 1937, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 10, 1938, Serial No. 224,007 I v 2 Claims;

This invention relates to separable fasteners employing stringers adapted to be coupled and uncoupled each stringer having longitudinally of one edge thereof a plurality of spaced coupling links or scoops, which links or scoops are adapted to interlock on opposed stringers of a fastener in securing said stringers together; and the object of the invention is to provide an improved method of securing the links or scoops to the stringer tapes to retain the same against displacement therefrom and especially in the die casting of plastic-or thermoplastic links on the stringers and cementing the same thereon so as to form a secure mounting or anchoring of the links on said stringers; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a device of the class and for the purpose specified, made in accordance with the method more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in 26 which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a part of two stringers of a separable fastener in coupled relation wit each other.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through one stringer 80 illustrating one method of treating the same according to my invention.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification in the form of the stringer tape employed.

85 Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing another method of applying an adhesive or solvent to the stringer tape.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing another v method of applying a solvent; and,

40 Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating another step in the process which I employ.

My invention relates towhat are commonly known as separable fasteners employing stringers l0, 10a, as seen in Fig. 1, each having a beaded edge portion ll, Ha, with coupling links or scoops l2, 12a attached to said beaded edges and adapted to be interlocked one with the other in the manner illustrated in coupling the stringers Ill, lfla together. It is customary with devices of this type to employ a slider movable longitudinally of the stringers or the links there of to couple and uncouple the same, but as such devices are commonly known in the art, they are 5 omitted in the present disclosure for the sake of clarity, especially inthat they form no part of the present invention.

My invention relates primarily'to the die casting of the links, scoops or other elements directly onto the tape or mounting member and particularly the casting of plastic or thermoplastic elements, such for example, as cellulose acetate elements on the tape or mounting memher. After the links or elements are attached, the same may also be glued or cemented in posi- 10 tion in the manner more fully hereinafter described. The invention will be described as applicable to one tape, it being understood that the companion tape is made in a similar manner.

After the links I! have been die cast on the 15 beaded edge ll] of the tape, the tape or the opposite edge portion l3 thereof is passed through a tank or trough l4 containing a solution l5 capable of gluing or adhering the links l2 to the tape. In employing links such as composed of 20 cellulose acetate, the solution I 5 may be a solvent such as acetone which has a high degree of capillary action on a fibrous tape and will quickly rise on the tape to the beaded edge II and establish a gluing or cementing action between the links and the tape or beaded edge It thereof. 3 The time of submergin'g or passing the tape l0 through the solution l5 will depend entirely upon the size of the tape l0 and-the distance to be traveled by the solution, under predetermined conditions. After the passage through the solution IS in the manner indicated in Fig. 2, I may, in some instances, pass the links l2 attached to the stringer through a pressure element, such for example as spring pressed belts l6 shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing to apply slight pressure to the links l2 or that portion thereof housing the beaded edge ll of the tape, or, in other words, to hold the links under compression while the solvent is drying. The spring actuated plates or guides i6a are employed as backings for the belt l6. However, the treatment of applied pressure as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing is only necessary where the fastener is to be subjected to excessive stress and strain, where it v will also be understood at this time that while i I have shown my invention as applicable to the coupling links of separable fasteners, the same may also apply to end stop members or elements employed at the ends of the stringers. Still further, my invention is not necessarily limited to devices of the specific kind and class herein specified, as the same may also be used in other arts where it is desirable to secure the thermoplastic or other element to the fabric or fibrous member or support.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing, I have shown a slight modification wherein a stringer tape lflb is provided, the beaded edge I lb of which has interwoven therein a plurality of longitudinally arranged and circumferentially spaced threads ll. These threads I! are preferably formed of rayon or some similar material which is soluble in the same solvent as the material of which the links are formed. Thus, it will be seen that as the tape is saturated the adjacent surfaces of the link which contact with the tape will be softened and form an adhesive binder securing those links to the tape as above described, and this binder will fiow together with the softened material of the threads. When the material dries, the result will be an integral uniting of the links to the tape.

In Fig. 4 of the drawing, I have shown another method of applying the solvent IE to the stringer tape II] by rotating a fibrous or other applicator wheel l8 through a tank or trough 19 containing the solvent [5 and using the absorbent wheel 18 as a means for transferring the solvent to the tape ID at a point adjacent the links l2 in order to provide a quicker transmission of the solvent to the beaded edge II of the tape Ill and in this way save the amount of solvent used. to some degree. A solvent such as acetone dries quickly and does not affect the fabric of the tape in any way, while at the same time, it provides a very effective means of securing the links to the tape. In this connection, it should be borne in mind that in the manufacture of stringers of the kind under consideration, it is customary to manufacture the product in long tapes on which are spaced the predetermined desired lengths of link groups forming stringers of the desired length. Therefore, these link tapes may be passed through the solvent in a continuous operation before the separate stringer lengths are severed from the long tape. This also applies to the treatment of the applied pressure and/or heat and pressure when desired or required. When heat is also employed to aid in securing the links of the tapes, the amount of heat will only be sufiicient to expedite the drying of the solvent employed and not sufficient to effect the structure of the link in any way, at least in so far as its external contour is concerned. r In Fig. 50f the drawing, I have shown another method of applying the adhesive or solvent to the stringer tapes, which consists in providing a suitable container 20 for a solvent such as acetone, the container having a tube 2| mounted in the cap or cover 22 thereof. The free end 23 of the tube 2| may be enlarged horizontally, if desired, where it contacts one side surface of a mounting tape 24 adjacent the links 25 thereof, and at the opposite side of the tape 24 is a correspondingly formed suction tube 26 exposed to a suitable means for creating a suction so that the solvent will be drawn upwardly through the tube 2! from the container 20. It is understood that the tape 24 is sufiiciently porous to permit this operation and as it moves between the pipes or tubes 2| and 26 would be saturated sufiiciently to extend the solvent into the beaded edge 24a. of the tape, and a small opening 22a is provided in the cap or cover 22. In other words, the structure shown in Fig. 5 operates substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 4 but will permit higher speed action, thus increasing the production of the stringers in question.

One of the distinctive features of my invention resides in the provision of a fibrous mounting member or body to which the links or other elements are attached, which includes the rayon or other similar type of threads interwoven with the body or member to aid in establishing the gluing or cementing operation. While I have mentioned the application of certain types of solvents to the fibrous member or body, the form or type of cement used will depend entirely upon the type of links or element employed or to be attached thereto.

In some instances, I may first treat the tape or mounting member with a solvent and then cast the links thereon, it being understood, that the casting operation extends the plastic material into the interstices of the braid of a fabric supporting member.

This invention constitutes a division of my prior application Serial No. 129,321 filed March 6, 1937.

Having fully described my invention, which I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In special fasteners of the class described, a stringer tape composed of fibrous material of irregular surface contour, a plurality of plastic links attached to one edge of said tape and spaced longitudinally thereof, the surfaces of the links arranged upon the tape conforming substantially to the irregular contour thereof, means interwoven with and arranged longitudinally of said edge of the tape and exposed therethrough to contact each of the linlm thereon, said means having chemical properties similar to the properties of said plastic links, whereby said links and means may be joined by a common solvent, and said links being bonded to the tape by said means and a solvent.

2. In separable fasteners of the class described, a stringer tape composed of fibrous material of irregular surface contour, a plurality of molded plastic links attached to one edge of said tape and spaced longitudinally thereof, the surfaces of the links arranged upon the tape conforming substantially to the irregular contour thereof, means interwoven with and arranged longitudinally of said edge of the tape and exposed therethrough to contact each of the links thereon, said means having chemical properties similar to the properties of said plastic links, whereby said links and means may be joined by a common solvent, said links being bonded to the tape by said means and a solvent, and said means comprising one or more rayon strands disposed on saidedge of the tape.

DAVIS MARINSK Y. 

